Job loss taken into account in student grants process

FAMILIES who have lost their jobs since January will have their change of circumstances taken into account when applications for student grants are assessed, authorities have insisted.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) claimed last week that many households might still be ineligible for maintenance grants because local authorities or vocational education committees which handle grant applications had to make decisions based on 2008 incomes.

But the Higher Education Authority (HEA) said that job losses will be considered by grant-awarding authorities, once the relevant information is provided.